Trailer hitch advice needed.

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JohnT
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Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by JohnT »

I'm hoping someone is familiar with the particular hitch I have and tried to install yesterday.
[img][IMG]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x372/JohnT011/GEDV0071%20-%20Copy_zpsidjijq9e.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x372/JohnT011/GEDV0072%20-%20Copy_zpskptzv35x.jpg[/img][/img]
The receiver sits between the fender and the fender support when bolted to the rear crash bar mounts. And the ball mount slides in and out vertically.The length of the supports seems to match the distance to the upper saddlebag mount point. However I can't for the life of me see how it would go there. Bunches of brackets in the way. (sort of in the way) and I can't see how the support would fit in the upper mount point.
Any experience with this hitch?
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by JohnT »

OK, I obviously need a little help post images with Photobucket,,,,,,
I haven't figured how to post them inline but at least you can see them on Photobucket now
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by JohnT »

Image
Now if I can remember how I did it,,,,,
Image
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JohnT
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by JohnT »

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Me Again
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by Me Again »

Mine is a little different so I may be no help at all ,but it mounts to the shock bolt.
Just have to put in a longer bolt .
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Bill O
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by Bill O »

JohnT wrote:I'm hoping someone is familiar with the particular hitch I have and tried to install yesterday.
[img][IMG]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x372/JohnT011/GEDV0071%20-%20Copy_zpsidjijq9e.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x372/JohnT011/GEDV0072%20-%20Copy_zpskptzv35x.jpg[/img][/img]
The receiver sits between the fender and the fender support when bolted to the rear crash bar mounts. And the ball mount slides in and out vertically.The length of the supports seems to match the distance to the upper saddlebag mount point. However I can't for the life of me see how it would go there. Bunches of brackets in the way. (sort of in the way) and I can't see how the support would fit in the upper mount point.
Any experience with this hitch?
The Hitch you have shown is made by "The Hitch Doctor". The upright support goes almost straight up and mounts to the rear frame bolt near the rear of the passenger seat. There may be instructions in the V12 Tech section.

Bill O

P.S. did you get the the receiver hitch with the hitch kit? If not, it will not take the hitch tongue like that of the Honda 1800 vertical hitches because theirs are 1/8 thicker than the Hitch Doctors. If you need one, you can only get the correct size from "Hitch Doctor".

Bill O

P.S.S. These are very well built hitches.
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Bill O
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by Bill O »

Information on the Voyager 1200 Vertical Hitch Doctor Hitch.

Model # 15540
Hitch Doctor Ph #..1-800-446-8222


Bill O
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by JohnT »

Me again, thanks for the reply.
Bill, thanks a bunch man. I was telling a mechanically inclined friend of mine that if push came to shove I would take it apart and mount the crash bar end so he could come down, look, laugh at me and tell me to look again. Then he would drink one of my twisted teas before pointing at the right spot.
It is indeed a well built hitch and not only did I get the ball mount, but also got a set of saddle bag mounts, a fender bracket, and a set of rear crash bars in the deal.
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Bill O
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by Bill O »

JohnT wrote:Me again, thanks for the reply.
Bill, thanks a bunch man. I was telling a mechanically inclined friend of mine that if push came to shove I would take it apart and mount the crash bar end so he could come down, look, laugh at me and tell me to look again. Then he would drink one of my twisted teas before pointing at the right spot.
It is indeed a well built hitch and not only did I get the ball mount, but also got a set of saddle bag mounts, a fender bracket, and a set of rear crash bars in the deal.
If I am not mistaken, the Hitch Doctor upright supports mount at the same location as the uprights for the Markland Hitch. The instructions for the Markland Hitch is in the Tech Tips section.

Bill O
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Chris near Kansas City
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by Chris near Kansas City »

Ah, the HitchDoc. Best hitch made for the Voyager. Your uprights have 2 half moon cutouts on each one. One cutout is closer to the end than the other. The end with the closer cutout attaches to the hitch on the outside of the welded tab. They lean in towards the top, so you should be able to figure out which goes on the left and the right. The other end attaches to the inside of the frame about 3 inches behind and 3 inches below the passenger's rear grab handle bolt. Where the rear bolt passes through the trunk frame and the saddlebag mount and the rear main frame, you will have to take that bolt out and drill out the threads. 3/8" bit if I recall. Then get a longer bolt, a couple of washers and a nut/locknut. Run the bolt through a washer, the 3 factory pieces and the new HitchDoc upright with a washer and nut on the inside. You may need a washer between the frame and the upright. The lower cutout goes towards the front of the bike to clear the saddlebag mount where the rear fender support attaches. Usually, you will need longer bolts for the front of the saddlebag mounts where the rear crashbars tie into it. Also, you may need some washers. The longer bolt would go through a washer, then the chrome cover, then about 2 washers on each bolt, then through the crashbar and into the saddlebag mount that has the front of the hitch sandwiched between the crashbar and the saddlebag mount. The little chrome cover sometimes, most times, hits the front of the hitch, and needs a couple washers to space it towards the front of the bike to clear. Put some antiseize on the bolts, since they thread into the saddlebag mounts and they are made of aluminum.
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by 823JIM »

I have the same hitch on my 2002 Voyager. I will try to post some photos.
Image
lower brace mount
Image
upper brace mount
Image

I hope this is of some help to you.
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JohnT
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Re: Trailer hitch advice needed.

Post by JohnT »

Now that it is on and done I am so happy. If I told you how many hours I have into a
"4 bolt job" I would embarrass myself. :bat: While installing the hitch I also put a few lights in the fender tail light section with disconnects in case I need to pull the fender off. Last night I finally get the hitch on right (number of ways to install it wrong, thanks for the advice and pictures) to find I have my left turn signal plugged into my tail light and vice versa. No biggy, I will just,,,,, :tho: nope, not taking the whole thing apart AGAIN,plan B. Well, the trunk comes off with 4 bolts (another "4 bolt job") so that is how I fixed that.
I'm not mechanically gifted. But I enjoy working on my bike. And can't afford to run to the dealer every time I need stuff done. You good folks reached out with advice and photos and encouragement. For that I thank you all. My dues for this site have already more than paid for itself.
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